Twenty-three years after operating as a paramilitary force, the Bangladesh Coast Guard is going to recruit fresh officers and seamen from July this year to strengthen its operational activities in the coastal areas. At the same time, the coastal force is going to set up two more directorates—Intelligence Directorate and IT and Communications Directorate—at its headquarters soon, sources said.

The director (plan & acquisition) of Bangladesh Coast Guard, Captain M Mamunur Rashid, told The Independent that they will start the recruitment by appointing 40 officers as sub-lieutenants and 100 seamen as ordinary seamen.

“The recruitment process will continue, aiming to raise the force’s strength to 15,000 by 2030. We'll train the freshers, just like the other armed forces, especially the naval force,” he said.

He said about 2,500 personnel are currently in the force under the existing organogram, which approves a total strength of 4,300.

“Our motto is to make the Bangladesh Coast Guard like the United States Coast Guard (USCG) by recruiting permanent employees and purchasing high-powered equipment to ensure maritime security as well as protect the blue economy," he added.

The senior officer, who is working for the Coast Guard on deputation from the Bangladesh Navy, said they are going to set up two more directorates at its headquarters soon. “At present, there are five directorates—operation, planning, personnel, logistics and engineering—at the force’s headquarters,” he added. He claimed that the Coast Guard is the only force returning Tk. 10 to the national treasury after taking Tk. 1 from the government.

Sources said the Coast Guard is going to introduce a "Coastal Monitoring System (CMS)" in the coastal areas and the sea boundary of the Bay for proper surveillance. A high-range radar and  the required software will be installed at the tower in the coastal outposts of the paramilitary force to introduce the new system.

For strengthening the activities of the Coast Guard, the paramilitary force is planning to purchase all-weather capable ships, hovercraft, drones, helicopters and maritime petrol aircraft soon. The Coast Guard is also going to install a "long-range identification and tracking and vessel trafficking monitoring and information system" to increase its capability.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard, whose motto is "Guardian at Sea", started its activities with two patrol craft received from the Bangladesh Navy on February 14, 1995.

The mission of the Coast Guard is to control piracy, illegal trafficking, protect fisheries resources, oil, gas and forest resources;  stop environmental pollution in Bangladesh waters and coastal areas; ensure overall security and law and order through security assistance to sea ports; and to conduct relief and rescue operations in the coastal areas during natural calamity.